Exploring the Canadian Rockies
A Self Drive Journey from Vancouver to Banff
Canada is a country of immense scale, where glacier fed lakes, dense forests and dramatic mountain ranges shape every part of the journey. One of the most rewarding ways to experience this landscape is on a self drive journey through Western Canada.
The journey began on the Pacific coast in Vancouver, before travelling north along the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler. From there, the route continues through the wilderness of British Columbia to Jasper National Park, before following the Icefields Parkway south to Banff and finishing in Calgary.
Over two unforgettable weeks, the journey takes in vibrant coastal cities, alpine villages, waterfalls, glaciers and some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere in North America.
Our route
Vancouver → Whistler → Wells Gray Provincial Park → Jasper → Icefields Parkway → Lake Louise → Banff → Calgary
Vancouver - Gateway to the Pacific Coast
Vancouver is one of the most beautifully positioned cities in the world, set between the Pacific Ocean and the coastal mountains of British Columbia.
Stanley Park offers spectacular views across the harbour and surrounding mountains, while Granville Island is a vibrant hub of artisan shops, galleries and food markets.
A highlight here is heading out into the Strait of Georgia on a whale watching excursion, where sightings of orca and other marine wildlife are common.
The Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler
Leaving Vancouver, the journey north along the Sea to Sky Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the region. The road hugs the coastline of Howe Sound before climbing into the mountains, with dramatic views at almost every turn.
Whistler is an Alpine resort known for its winter skiing and equally impressive landscapes in summer.
A highlight here is the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which connects Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and offers extraordinary views across the valleys and forests below.
Wells Gray Provincial Park -Waterfalls and wilderness
Continuing inland through British Columbia brings you to a quieter and more remote landscape.
Near the town of Clearwater lies Wells Gray Provincial Park, known for its rugged wilderness and dramatic waterfalls. Helmcken Falls is the park’s most famous sight, plunging into a deep volcanic canyon surrounded by forest.
This part of the journey feels wonderfully wild and far removed from busy tourist routes
Jasper National Park - Wildlife and mountain lakes
Crossing into Alberta brings you to Jasper National Park, one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the Canadian Rockies.
The scenery here is striking, with snow capped peaks, alpine lakes and vast forests that are home to elk, bears and other wildlife.
A visit to Maligne Lake is a must. The view of Spirit Island surrounded by towering peaks is one of the most iconic landscapes in the Rockies.
Driving the Icefields Parkway
One of the world’s great scenic drives
The drive between Jasper and Banff along the Icefields Parkway
is widely considered one of the most scenic routes in the world.
Glaciers spill down from towering mountain peaks, turquoise lakes appear around bends in the road and the landscape feels vast and untouched.
Along the way you pass the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest icefields in North America, where visitors can experience the dramatic scale of the glaciers up close
Banff
The heart of the Canadian Rockies
Banff is perhaps the most famous town in the Rockies and makes a wonderful final stop on the journey.
The surrounding scenery is spectacular, with towering mountains rising above pine forests and glacial rivers.
One of the most memorable experiences during our time here was exploring the wilderness on horseback, riding through alpine forests with breathtaking mountain views all around.
We also took to the skies on a helicopter flight over the Rockies, flying above glaciers, valleys and peaks including the dramatic Mount Assiniboine. Seeing the landscape from the air revealed just how vast and wild this part of Canada truly is.
Canada
Scenes from the Rockies
